Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's time to celebrate Ireland, have a Guinness, stout or a bitter.  Some of us may have attended parades and parties over the weekend.  Yet some of us may be humming "When Irish eyes are smiling" to ourselves, while fumbling through closets and drawers trying to find something green to wear today besides socks and undies, with the hopes of warding off pinches from leprechauns.  My lenten road map (countdown to Easter) encourages that one takes time to celebrate and research the life, ministry and witness of St. Patrick.

Having attended a Roman Catholic school, and now a fiery Episcopalian, it dawned on me that I don't know too much about Patrick other than he was from Ireland, had a couple churches and cathedrals named in his honor, and that we celebrate his life on March 17, the day that he died.  I encourage you to google St. Paddy and check his life out.  He was a slave/shepherd, sailor, called to the priesthood and served God and his church.  Imagine if centuries from now people will be able to google our lives.  In the words of my grandmother -- I just want to remind you that "Only what you do for Christ will last."  The most interesting thing that I learned about St. Patrick is the eloquent prayer which is attributed to him and I am going to share it with you.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Peace, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Karsten

Don't lose your testimony!

Earlier today my facebook status read "Karsten Tyson almost told someone where they can go and how fast they could get there."  Yes, it's been one of those weeks and I had reached my breaking point.  As you could imagine, this brought forth a flurry of comments and "likes" from my facebook friends ranging from "you should have in Spanish,"  or "Next time you should be like Nike and just do it."  But it was my friend Lisa, who commented with "Don't lose your testimony!" 

Lisa's comment really made me think deeply.  You all have heard me say this time and time again.  You cannot have a TESTimony without a test.  Would I really want to lose my witness and some major heaven points because I let the cares of this world a work situation potentially get the best of me?  I will blog about Lent later during the season.  I contemplated heavily on Lisa's comment during chapel today, which was very contemplative in nature due to the observance of Holy Lent.  Thank God that I have a job that provides a worship space.  I leave you with the last stanza of the song "In Christ alone."  But before I sign off, I would like to encourage you, to go through this lenten journey, and not lose your lose your testimony.

No guilt of life, no fear in death
this is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no schemes of man
can ever pluck me from his hand.
Til He returns or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Peace,
Karsten

President's Day

President's Day; when most of us think of this holiday, we immediately think of George Washington, the Father of our Country, or maybe "Honest" Abe Lincoln, both of whom have birthdays in the month of February, and  are probably the reason why many federal employees and a few teachers are able to take a breather today.  Clearly these were not the only Chief Executive Officers of our nation.  One of my favorite presidents was John F. Kennedy.  Although I was not alive during the Kennedy years, our country was in a very volatile state.  However as a child of the 70s and 80s, I did grow to respect President Reagan. 

Today, I would encourage you to think about our current President, Barack H. Obama.  Being the president is not easy.  It's hard trying to please everyone.  Obama inheirited an administration full of problems from wars, environmental issues, health care reform and not to mention the economy.  Every day he sits in and out of chambers where cosmic and multil million dollar decisions are being made that will impact each of us personally on some level.  Take a few minutes to lift our President in prayer.  He needs it more than you know.  If you're stuck on a prayer, just read this one from the Book of Common Prayer.

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world:  We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace.  Grant to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, the Governor of this state (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and do thy will.  Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.

Peace,
Karsten

Love is...

¡Feliz Día de San Valentín! – Happy Valentine’s Day!  For many, Valentine’s Day is the quintessential time to express love on so many levels, whether its agape (godly love that we receive from Him), phileo (brotherly love that we express towards each other) – hence we have: Philadelphia “The City of Brotherly Love,” or eros, (the special love that is meant to be shared with our partners and spouses).

For us, as we journey through life, it can be lonely at times.  Know that you are loved!  You were fashioned in the image of God.  God is love, and love is all around us and ever present – even in this upside down world, the island home in which we live.  Love covers a multitude of injustices and iniquities.  Love saved you and preserved you for such a time as this.  In as much as you have received love, I charge you to share and spread this ever precious gift. 

In the Gospel of St. Matthew 22:37, Jesus quotes the Mosaic Law from Deuteronomy with this verse “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If I were to put a spin on this, I would say that in addition to loving God and our neighbors whole heartedly, that we should look within and love ourselves.  

As I close, I leave with you the Apostle Paul’s explanation of what love is to the church at Corinth, which can be found in I Corinthians 13:4-8.  “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  Remember that if God is love, then love NEVER fails. There is no failure in God.  May the peace and love of God encompass you and over flow into the lives of those to whom you are connected.

Peace,

Karsten

Red Sunday 2011

In many churches across the country, you may have noticed that many women and men were wearing red today.  This movement is not in honor of St. Valentine's Day, which happens to be tomorrow.  But several faith communities observed "Go Red Sunday" today and other Sundays throughout the month.  Not only is February Black History Month, it is also American Heart Month.  According to the American Heart Association, every year heart disease claims the lives of 460,000 women in our country, making it the number one killer of American women.  This means that someone's mother, sister, aunt, daughter, grandmother or niece could fall victim at any given moment.

I share this with you not to alarm you, but rather to inform you.  Go Red Sunday is a movement in which women and men alike are encouraged to look at their lifestyles and see where they fall.  Look at your family medical history, you may not want to, but it will clear many questions that you and your primary care physician may have.  It was beautiful to see the red neckties, dresses and sweaters in church today.  But wearing red on any given Sunday in February does not alleviate the problem.  It does raise awareness. 

Last week, I was in a conversation with one of the school nurses at my job and I told her that I could relate to the woman with the issue of blood from the Bible.  Granted her issue of blood and mine are completely different.  Her story is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  In all three of the gospels, upon receiving her healing, Jesus told her "your faith has made you whole."  However in the Mark and Luke's account, Jesus also tells her "Go in peace."  As a Type 2 diabetic, I have an issue of blood that is now under control (thank God).  I know that I am and have been made whole, and I certainly don't allow my faith in God to preclude me from exercising, eating healthy and taking my meds as I should.  On this Go Red Sunday, I challenge you to talk about your health with your family members and most importantly, go to the doctor.  Remember that Jesus is still the master phyisician, and he's still in the healing business.

Peace,
Karsten

Valentine's Validation

TGIF!  Friday could not get here soon enough for me.  Here we are, the most romantic weekend of the year.  Romantic weekend getaways have been planned.  Restaurants are running lovers specials and reservations from today through Monday.  The local florists are working over time, especially in the area of delivery.  Let's not forget that Whitman's, Godiva and Hallmark have all cashed in on this holiday.  On December 26, I found it hard to believe that when I went to Harris-Teeter, for some vittles for a post-Christmas snow storm, the greeting card aisle was plastered with hearts and various shades of red, pink, lavender and white.  I was like, seriously -- Are you serious?  It's still Christmas!!

I will blog about Valentine's Day on Monday.  However I just wanted to remind you -- regardless of your Valentine status, if you have one, several or none at all.  Don't let your Valentine validate your love and self worth.  Let me say it like this.  Don't let the fact that you may not have a Valentine validate your love and self worth.  Pastor Jamal Bryant of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, posted that in his Twitter newsfeed.  I thought about that in detail.  If the message of Valentine's Day is centered around love, then please do not limit telling the special people in your lives that you love them only on February 14.  Most of us don't do this, but you'd be surprised. 

Love is one of those things that we get often undeserving.  Love also has reciprocal tendancies.  Think about it.  If you're not a loving person, chances are people are not going to be very loving toward you.  It is great knowing that you are loved.  I think that it's an even greater thing when we share our love with others.  If I had to give you a mandate of love, it would be; Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself and allow others to love you.  Don't let your Valentine validate you! 

Peace,
Karsten

It's me!!!

How many of you guys remember this song?

It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my mother nor my father but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's not my brother nor my sister but it's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.
It's me, It's me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

It's me, It me -- Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.

Truth be told we are all in the need of prayer.  Whether it's stress and meeting demands of work, the significant or maybe insignificant other in our lives, the crazy children, whom we love dearly, but rather they would either grow up or go away, only to return when fully independent.  Brothers and sisters we are in a praying time.  But how balanced is your prayer life?  Sometimes I literally discover that I have forgotten to pray for myself.  Sometimes outside of our loved ones and friends, we have to cry out with a loud voice.  It's me oh Lord! -- Standing in the need of prayer. 

The challenge for today is to take 2 minutes and pray for yourself.  God knows what your needs are before you even ask.  Okay, so you may not be a prayer warrior, consider praying the Lord's Prayer or possibly writing a list of things that you know that it would take a mighty move of God to accomplish.  If you're Episcopalian, go grab a Book of Common Prayer and look at the prayers that are near the back.  Remember that seven days without prayer makes one weak.  Don't leave yourself open for enemy attack.  Not only does prayer change things, it also changes us.

Peace,
Karsten